With the opportunities brought by the Internet, online businesses also exist with the hopes of having a faster and better way to cater to the needs of its customers. Unfortunately, though, just like in the physical businesses, owners become so consumed in thinking about the promotion and marketing strategies and they forget another vital ingredient of their success and continuous generated sales-their customers. In fact, customers are more vital in the online world

The impression and feeling people have towards us can be seen as a manifestation of how they want or do not want to transact with us. According to the data collected from a survey done by U.S Small Business Administration (SBA) Office, some of the reasons customer leave are being dissatisfied with the product they purchased or they feel that they are not being appreciated by the business owner and staff. To avoid this to happen to your venture, including planning and doing client appreciation techniques as part of your strategies must also be done.

Seeing Yourself as the Customer

We all experience being customers also, and the way that we wanted to be served is how our customers wanted to be catered on as well. That is why to better understand how we can do appreciation efforts to our clients, we must identify what do we want as a client-putting ourselves in their shoes. As a business owner, the general rule in doing customer appreciation is to put their needs and wants above yours. Also, sincerity is also important in showing gratitude to them. Even if you only transact online, fake appreciations can be clearly seen by your customers just as how they can sense the genuine actions you do for them. Finally, the intention must be to show how we value their support and selection to our products and services and not to expect to gain something in return.

Innovative Customer Appreciation Ideas

Your clients are all vital part of your business and their patriotism on your products has a huge effect on the success or failure of your venture.

Check out some ways that you can show your gratitude the important individuals in your life:

1. Create a party for your customers.

Throwing parties especially made for your customers is a great way to tell them that you also want to know them more and establish personal relationships with them because we are grateful to have them. Moreover, this can also be a meet-and-greet for other customers, giving additional legitimacy to your business.

Even though this is for your customers, do not forget to still put your brand on it. Also, brand consistency must be present, presenting your company and its services as the same venture that your clients love about your company.

2. Give them some coupons and other special discounts.

Giving your regular customers coupons and discounts upon their next purchase can be a message that you appreciate how they patronize your brand. Also, it gives them the impression that they are visible to us and thus can create a better relationship with them.

3. Highlight some of your customers. 

Why not try to tell the world how proud and thankful you are for having those great customers?

You can do this encouraging your customers to submit some of their storied along with their photos and have it featured a few times through your website and other social media accounts.

Doing this will not just make your digital platforms catchy, but it also can mean to your customers that they are not just plain consumers that just purchase your products, but as people with great stories to tell!

4. Set a Customer Appreciation Day.

Choose a particular day that you can spend just appreciating your customers. Advertise it and let your clients be part of the whole process.

Regardless of the day that you want to do it, what is important is that you make it known to your clients. Make them feel that you appreciate their loyalty and every purchase that they made are not unnoticed by the company. Remember that this day should be for your customer.

5. Send them to thank you cards.

This may be quite simple, but this is an effective way of telling your clients how their purchase means a lot to your company and how it helped and will be helping you grow and become a part of your success.

In creating thank you cards, do not just tell them that you are simply thankful. Be as honest, specific, and thoughtful as possible.

6. You can also send them personalized gifts.

Sending them gifts, like some of your brand's best items, is another customer appreciation technique that never gets out of style. It does not require expensive stuff, but it is important that we put some effort into it. As customers, it is always a great feeling when the company that you love extends itself to them by giving them special gifts as tokens of appreciation.

It's Always the Thought that Counts

Aside from the mentioned tips, there are still numerous ways to extend our appreciation to our dear clients. It can be as simple as sending them business greeting cards once in a while or putting more effort by researching their favourite stuff or creating unique and awesome gifts. What is always important is that we always have to make sure that our clients know that dealing with us is not just about being a customer-vendor relationship, but also a better connection that they can always count on us. This will not just benefit them, but most importantly, we can be assured that loyalty is always there. However, while dealing with ways to make them feel that they are valued, we still should do our best to improve our products and services, also the different marketing campaigns and other digital marketing approaches to always ensure our success not only in the online world.